Monte Carlo, Mille Miglia, Nurburgring .
These are the deadliest curves, filled with the legends of men, machines and immortality.
Join me for a tour of the giants of racing, from 1896 through the 1960's, and their pictures and stories.
Blood, victory, defeat and courage; often in the same race.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

The ubiquitous symbol of the mid-1950's Packard Clipper was the ship steering wheel, and was presented in their advertising, tchotchkes, and car emblems.

And occasionally, one runs across a pre-1950's, Packard-emblazoned wristwatch, that was used for promotion, employee recognition, etc...

There was also an early-20th century Indian company that produced a run with the Packard name.

But this wristwatch is a puzzler. It's not a cheapie, run-of-the-mill "club special", it has a nice Valjoux Swiss movement, and sharp Heuer-inspired chronograph design.

The "Packard" lettering has a different fade, suggesting an-add on, but even the back of the watch is professionally inscribed "PACKARD".

The kicker is that this watch was put together LONG after the demise of the Packard Motor Company, which leads me to believe that someone really, really loved their 1956 Clipper, and had to special order the coolest chronograph race watch he could afford, and 60 years later, we have it right in front of us to admire, just like the original owner would have wanted!

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Here's a great 1957 Dodge truck that's been painted and styled to summon the vision of a 1950's version of the late 70's Dodge icon, The Lil Red Express. Thanks to blogger Bag Full Of Guns (VERY NSFW, fyi)